Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Pg. 69: Katherine Howell's "Frantic"

In one terrible moment, paramedic Sophie Phillips’ life is ripped apart – her police officer husband, Chris, is shot on their doorstep and their ten-month-old son, Lachlan, is abducted from his bed. Suspicion surrounds Chris as he is tainted with police corruption, but Sophie believes the attack is much more personal – and the perpetrator far more dangerous...

While Chris is in hospital and the police, led by Detective Ella Marconi, mobilise to find their colleague's child, Sophie's desperation compels her to search for Lachlan herself. She enlists her husband's partner, Angus Arendson, in the hunt for her son, but will the history they share prove harmful to Sophie's ability to complete her mission?

And could one dangerous decision cause Sophie to ultimately lose everything important in her life?

Among the praise for Frantic:

"[A]n adrenaline rush of a thriller ... as addictive as it is exhausting."--Sue Turnbull, Sydney Morning Herald

"Frantic is a ripper of a yarn, told with verve and feeling for the characters and place. Howell is a natural storyteller."--Reg Anderson, Courier Mail

"There is no let up in this story, as the title suggests it charges full steam ahead in a state of sustained urgency.... Frantic is an outstanding thriller...."--Crime Down Under

Frantic is “a fast-paced and involving read” and “a real page-turner (that) will certainly appeal to fans of medical-based crime thrillers.”--Bookseller and Publisher

Katherine Howell's Frantic was released by Pan Macmillan in May 2007 in Australia, and will be published in 2008/09 in France, Germany, Italy, Russia and the UK. Her second book, The Darkest Hour, is scheduled for release in Australia in 2008.